Students Meet Author/Illustrator of ‘Listen to the Wind’ at Hoover

Fourth grade students from Washington Elementary recently participated in a booktalk with author/illustrator Susan L.Roth. The booktalk was at Hoover Presidential Library in West Branch and was organized by Mary Evans of Mount Vernon.

Roth’s children’s book, Listen to the Wind, is based on the story by Greg Mortenson called Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Journey to Change the World…One Child at a Time, about his efforts to build schools for the poor people of Pakistan.

Roth discussed creating her book and the people who influenced her.

“It was cool how she gave us so much information about people she has met in her life,” Annie said.

Roth also answered questions from the audience. Emma asked if Roth made other books to which Roth replied, “many, many books.”

Kale asked, “What is the favorite book you’ve written?” “The one on my desk right now,” Roth said.

Roth has started a project called “Let’s Hold Hands” in which students make self-portraits of themselves in the style of art she uses in her book. The students also write an encouraging note to a friend. The self-portraits will then either be used in some of her artwork, on the website, or sent around the world to other countries.

About twelve schools presented Roth with their self-portraits. Ryan was the representative from Mount Vernon that presented the classes’ self-portraits; Roth said she was going to “send them around the world.”

Next Roth demonstrated how she creates collages with paper in the style of her books. After the collage is framed, one of the schools will get the artwork, as determine by a lottery.

Roth also shared information about her newest book, on humanitarian Gordon Sato, which isn’t in stores yet.

Mount Vernon students were impressed with the author/artist, Nicholas and Samantha both cited the collage demonstration as a highlight.

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